Despite promises from both the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe that questions concerning the Venice Biennale would be answered by the middle of December, no answers, from either of the parties, have been forthcoming.

Attempts have been made both through the National Assembly and through the Promotion of Access to Information Act in an attempt to receive answers concerning how and why the DAC selected a private art dealer, Monna Mokoena, as commissioner of the Venice Biennale. Questions have also...

Despite promises from both the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) and deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe that questions concerning the Venice Biennale would be answered by the middle of December, no answers, from either of the parties, have been forthcoming.

Attempts have been made both through the National Assembly and through the Promotion of Access to Information Act in an attempt to receive answers concerning how and why the DAC selected a private art dealer, Monna Mokoena, as commissioner of the Venice Biennale. Questions have also been put to the Department concerning the rumours that the DAC had taken a 20-year lease out on a building in Venice.

Deputy president Motlanthe was known to have assured the chief whip of the DA that all matters concerning these questions would be answered by December 15. However, an email from Dr. Lotriet, the DA’s shadow minister of arts and culture, has confirmed that although Mr. Motlanthe cleared up various matters on that day, the concerns surrounding the Venice Biennale were not among them. Dr. Lotriet has vowed to resubmit the same questions to the National Assembly in 2012.